Power Co-op members get discounted audits

October 17, 2008

MARQUETTE - Some Upper Peninsula residents will be able to get a discounted energy audit to help make their houses more energy efficient and to save energy costs.

Members of Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association are eligible to receive a $150 discount on energy audits conducted by Northern Options Energy Center.

"In this day and age with the heightened awareness of environmental responsibility and energy costs, people focus on what they can do immediately to lower their electric bill," said Tom Harrell, general manager of the Alger Delta Co-op. "This program will help people to accomplish just that."

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The cooperative was recently awarded a $4,000 energy conservation grant from Wisconsin Public Power to help its members save energy. Co-op members will receive credits of $100 for the audit and $50 to cover travel expenses incurred by the auditor. Only residential customers are eligible for the deal and the audit has to be completed by Dec. 31.

A basic energy audit costs about $150.

There are about 10,000 co-op members in six counties in the central U.P. - many of them in rural areas, Harrell said.

"These audits are relatively casual," Harrell said. "They are not the kind that gets into scientific measures, but how tight are the door frames and windows - just any place where cold air can infiltrate the house."

The auditor will also check lighting, water heaters and appliances. Age, cleanliness and location of the appliances will be evaluated since these factors can be crucial in energy efficiency, according to Harrell.

Quite a few people have already taken advantage of the audits, Harrell said. Interested individuals should contact Northern Options at 226-1136 or www.northernoptions.org.